title: Attitudes of physical therapy students toward patient-centered care, before and after a course in psychosocial aspects of care.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Patient-centered care is vital in developing the therapeutic relationship. Attitude may be an important measure of student potential for giving patient-centered care. The purpose of this study was to assess attitudes toward patient-centered care in doctor of physical therapy students before and after completion of a course that addresses communication skills and psychosocial aspects of care.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2009, forty-nine students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy educational program at Duke University took a required course which included recommended elements for teaching patient-centered care. Students completed the Patient-Practitioner Orientation Scale (PPOS) and the Tasks of Medicine Scale (TOMS) twice prior to the course and once at course completion. Demographic data were gathered and students responded to open-ended questions at final survey administration.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were statistically significant differences in student attitudes toward patient-centered care after the educational experience on the PPOS and the TOMS, which were supported by students' written responses.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Changes in attitudes toward patient-centered care are possible with educational intervention.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study may help to inform educators of medical professionals about the education of practitioners to develop patient-centered attitudes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community and Family Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA. elizabeth.ross@duke.edu
authors.forename: Elizabeth Fromm
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Haidet
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003142:Communication; D003479:Curriculum; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009657:North Carolina; D018802:Patient-Centered Care; D026761:Physical Therapy Specialty / Q000193:education*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult